Ex-lawmaker pleads guilty to federal charge

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Greenville, N.C. — After fighting federal charges for more than two years, former state Rep. Stephen LaRoque quietly pleaded guilty Monday as part of a deal to get the rest of the case against him dismissed.

The Kinston Republican pleaded guilty in Greenville to aiding and abetting theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. He will be sentenced May 12, when he faces up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Federal prosecutors said LaRoque took $150,000 from a U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded nonprofit. A 2012 indictment alleged that he directed the money to friends and family and might have used some for campaign expenses.

He had maintained his innocence, arguing that the loans from the USDA to two nonprofits he directed were more like advances on money owed to him by the nonprofits and that the boards of the two organizations approved his actions.

LaRoque, who resigned his House seat in 2012 under pressure after he was indicted, was convicted in 2013 of four counts each of misuse of funds, money laundering and fraud, but the verdicts were thrown out after it was learned that a juror conducted outside research in the case.

A new trial had been scheduled for next month, and LaRoque was trying to get the case dismissed as recently as three weeks ago, alleging in a motion that prosecutors improperly extended the term of the grand jury that indicted him.

As part of the plea deal, he agreed to reimburse $300,000 to East Carolina Development Co., one of the nonprofits he headed.

notexactlyJan 28, 2015

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They must have his party affiliation wrong. We all know a Republican would never do anything illegal, or even legal but unethical.

— Posted by miseem

Really? A crook is a crook! It has nothing to do with what party you are in. Being a thief is party blind. All should serve many years in prison and be heavily fined if guilty. The money should go back to the people of the state tax free.

Charlie WatkinsJan 28, 2015

It was the fault of the jury! Just like with Brannon.

heelhawkJan 27, 2015

Now I understand why Republicans are so against the poor and middle class getting any government help or subsidies..... they need to steal more of it for themselves.

dwntwnboy2Jan 27, 2015

That's one crook down- now root out the rest of them no matter what letter is next to their name!

Matt WoodJan 27, 2015

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They must have his party affiliation wrong. We all know a Republican would never do anything illegal, or even legal but unethical.

— Posted by miseem

Notice the silence from the far-right posters on here...

angiebJan 27, 2015

@Wake60You are so right!!!

Pensive01Jan 27, 2015

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He's no different than the rest of them, he just got caught. That said glad he did. There's 537 more in D.C. regardless of party , let's not forget they are just as crooked.

— Posted by wake60

Actually he was never am member of the US House of Representatives, just the NC House.

bottleworksJan 26, 2015

The Kinston Republican pleaded guilty....

proudgrandmommaJan 26, 2015

Have to wait until we get all the facts here. The law is that your innocent until PROVEN guilty, not the other way around.

tranJan 26, 2015

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Notice that his lawyer and Mike Easley used the same one?! This is the top lawyer for all guilty elected officials!

— Posted by For the U.S.A.

He has represented many high profile clients including the Duke Lacrosse players. If you can afford him, he's the one to hire.